What the Digital Government Leadership Group does

The Digital Government Leadership Group (DGLG) is a strategic oversight group of Chief Executives who have an interest in the digital and data transformation of the public service.

The group works with ministers, the Public Service Leadership team and public service agencies, to support New Zealanders to have seamless access to the government services that they want and need.

The partnership:

• helps the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) and Government Chief Data Steward (GCDS) to develop and improve the digital and data systems across the public service
• ensures the public service is aligned with the Strategy for a Digital Public Service and Data Strategy and Roadmap, other relevant strategies and the Public Service Act 2020
• was set up in 2015 by the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO).

Strategy for a Digital Public Service

Government Data Strategy and Roadmap — Department of Internal Affairs

Terms of reference for the Digital Government Leadership Group (DGLG)

From June 2021, these terms of reference define the DGLG’s role, objectives, responsibilities and governance, including meetings, membership and secretariat.

Role of the Digital Government Leadership Group

The Digital Government Leadership Group (DGLG) is a strategic oversight group of the public service digital and data system.

The DGLG’s role is to improve how:

• government works together
• New Zealanders interact with government
• the public service — with partners — solves complex problems related to the digital and data system for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

It does this by:

• providing strategic oversight by ensuring there is a forum where information can be shared, priorities discussed, and system challenges explored
• championing and endorsing relevant strategies including the Strategy for a Digital Public Service, the Information Assurance and Cyber Security Strategy, the Data Strategy and Roadmap, and other relevant strategies and ensure alignment with the Public Service Act 2020
• championing key strategic relationships and other leadership and governance relationships to ensure their understanding of digital and data system issues and opportunities, such as Māori-Crown Mana Ōrite arrangements, data and digital ministers.

Objectives

The DGLG objectives are to:

• contribute to digital and data system transformation by having a line of sight between initiatives and outcomes across the public service
• ensure multi-agency commitment, including through collaboration and information sharing
• seek connections and take a cross system portfolio view of digital and data investment
• provide a place where information can be shared, priorities discussed, and system challenges explored and work together to unblock system-level constraints
• act as good system citizens and ensure the public service is modern at its heart.

Responsibilities

The DGLG members have general responsibility for:

• providing insight to the system leads, in respect of matters pertinent to the strategic direction of digital and data system leadership
• acting as champions for digital and data strategic direction within their own agencies and more widely across the system
• to be advocates for system-level change, and providing collegial support to chief executive colleagues to lead change in the digital and data environment
• encouraging better investment decisions across the wider system.

Meetings

The group will meet quarterly.

Members of DGLG

The DGLG’s membership includes agencies who represent key sectors and agencies with a significant stake in digital transformation — but also smaller agencies.

The co-chairs:

• Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) and Chief Executive of the Department of Internal Affairs
• Government Chief Data Steward (GCDS), Government Statistician and Chief Executive of Stats NZ.

Group members are nominated by the co-chairs to provide a balance of perspectives. Membership is initially set as described below but may change in line with circumstances.

Group members:

• Government Chief Information Security Officer (GCISO) and Director-General of the Government Communications Security Bureau
• Chief Executive, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and system lead for Government Procurement and Property
• Chief Executive, Inland Revenue
• Chief Executive, Ministry of Education
• Chief Executive, Te Arawhiti — Office for Māori Crown Relations
• Chief Executive, Land Information New Zealand
• Director-General, Ministry of Health
• Chief Executive, Te Whatu Ora
• Chief Executive Tumu Whakarae, Te Aka Whai Ora
• Chief Executive, Ministry of Social Development
• Secretary for Justice and Chief Executive, Ministry of Justice
• Chief Executive, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA)
• Chief Executive, Social Wellbeing Agency.

Secretariat, supporters and stakeholders 

The partnership is supported by a secretariat led by the Department of Internal Affairs with support from Statistics NZ.

The DGLG may, from time to time, establish sub-groups for specific topics or programmes that need more active support or leadership. Senior government officials may be included when extra support is needed.

Key stakeholders:

• Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission
• Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)
• The Treasury
• Information Group
• DGLG advising officials.

Contact information

Email: dglg@dia.govt.nz